Shoes from the Heart helps Moberly

Tuesday

Apr 9, 2013 at 10:38 AMApr 9, 2013 at 10:48 AM

Atina RobertsMMI Reporter

Moberly Head Start recently teamed up with Shoes from the Heart.

The program Shoes from the Heart is geared to help low-income families to provide the basic need of shoes. Cindy and Donnie Bonuchi started the program in Macon County, hoping to at least be able to help in their immediate community. They found that there is a great need for shoes for low-income families. They have effectively and quickly expanded their program to reach out to nearby counties. Donnie and his wife, Cindy, are very excited to be expanding the program. They currently serve Macon, Shelby, Adair, and now, Randolph County.

Donnie said, "I have [even] received phone calls from Columbia [to start a program there]."

"We will help all the children in the family, even if the other children do not belong to the Head Start program," he continued. Donnie went on to explain that Shoes from the Heart "helped a family with twelve children who only had work boots and a few flip flops."

If you would like to donate to the program, you can reach Donnie or Cindy at (660) 353-9915. They accept new or gently used shoes, or monetary donations.

Donnie said, "We handed out over 500 shoes last year, and plan to hand out more than 1,500 this year."

Cindy said, "We keep 150 shoes on hand, so if we receive an emergency call, we can make sure we have something that will fit."

In attendance at the first shoe hand out were Tim Remole and Ray Bozarth (a representative for Senator Roy Blunt). Tim and Ray were both able to fit children in need with a pair of shoes.